Tea at Trianon: The Queen and the Cats

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Queen and the Cats

Calee M. Lee has written a charming children's book entitled The Queen and the Cats, illustrated by Turbo Qualls. According to the press release:

Queen Helena has brought the greatest of gifts to the people of Cyprus. But when she tries to present the treasure, the Queen discovers that the local churches have been infested with a deadly problem. It’s up to Queen Helena and a little village girl to come up with a solution that will make the churches safe once more.

The Queen and the Cats tells a little-known, but dearly loved story of Saint Helena, mother to Emperor Constantine. After discovering the location of the True Cross in the Holy Land, Saint Helena visited the island of Cyprus.

Featuring 24 full-color illustrations and a charming story that will introduce little princesses to this royal saint. Ages 4-8. Available in print and ebook formats.

Since St. Helena is my patron saint, I was delighted that there is a new children's book about her, especially one which shows the saint expressing love and concern in a concrete, practical way. The veneration of relics, the holiness of the house of God, and the sacred priesthood are among the concepts presented to little ones in ways that they can understand. I recommend the book as an ideal gift for small girls, especially those who love cats! Share

3 comments:

Hans Georg Lundahl said...: Holy Cross AND cats for Cyprus?

Now, the daughter of King Cole IS a good saint!

Will be forwarded to another Helen I know.; September 27, 2011 at 2:56:00 AM EDT
Mrs. Rudd said...: My patron also!

I'll start looking for it. It would be a good addition to our 1st grade library (I'm trying to introduce them to saints.); September 27, 2011 at 9:26:00 AM EDT
Kindle Fire Mom said...: Thank you so much for reviewing my book. I love that there are so many stories of the saints that can really connect with children (and the child-like :). I hope my little book blesses all those who have a chance to read it!; September 27, 2011 at 11:51:00 AM EDT